STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- To keep up with the technology and changing learning methods, the Greenbelt Conservancy has added a new asset to its teaching arsenal.

With the help of a $5,000 grant from Time Warner Cable’s (TWC) Connect a Million Minds initiative, the Greenbelt Nature Center recently added a SMARTBoard to the Sea View-based hub on Rockland Avenue.

The Greenbelt’s environmental education team will use the SMARTBoard to enhance lessons on environmental science, biology and botany for students of all ages and levels.

“Although a forest is a favorable venue for hands-on learning, there are times when our educators require the use of focused interactive technology, such as a SMARTBoard, to zero in on a specific concept or expand a global phenomenon,” said Maritza Cuevas, director of environmental education for the Greenbelt.

“A SMART board can capture the attention of learners; its displays are colorful and can accommodate different learning styles,” added Ms. Cuevas. “The ability to use multimedia resources and the Internet with an entire class is a great way to reinforce outdoor environmental education.”

According to Greenbelt Conservancy spokeswoman Dorothy Reilly, students at the Greenbelt will go into the field, hike and explore, then return to the classroom where they can access more information about what was experienced outdoors.

“We’re teaching the kids using the medium they’re accustomed to,” said Ms. Reilly.

The TWC initiative is a five-year, $100 million cash- and in-kind philanthropic initiative designed to address America’s declining proficiency in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), which puts American children at risk of not competing successfully in a global economy. Using its media assets, TWC creates awareness of the issue and inspires students to develop the STEM skills they need to become the problem solvers of tomorrow.

OTHER UPGRADES

The new addition is part of a recent flurry of technological advances at the Nature Center. In December, the site introduced a set of fresh interactive features that provide visitors with information on the Greenbelt, its animals, outdoor conditions, as well as popular destinations on the grounds.

Earlier this year, the nonprofit organization added two brand new microscopes and a projection “flex” camera to the Greenbelt Environmental Education Department’s inventory, thanks to a generous donation from the Northfield Foundation on Staten Island.

In February, the Conservancy gained audio wands to assist hikers during tours of the 2,800-acre Greenbelt.

The Conservancy has been the recipient of another grant that’s geared toward employing and providing insight to young adults entering the workforce. A $40,000 grant provided by the Staten Island Foundation more than 18 months ago has allowed the Conservancy to employee a part-time worker and several interns for the summer.

Students come from Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Vermont, and Wagner College.